Patience (Sabr)
is a light in Islam. When a person adopts patience, he gains an inner clarity
which illuminates his path. This protects his heart against the darkness of
despair and gives him strength to pass through trials without panic. Without
patience, life becomes like a house without light; but with patience, every
difficulty becomes an opportunity to come closer to Allah.
Allah has said in the
Qur’an:
“O
believers! Seek help through patience and prayer; truly Allah is with those who
are patient.” (Al-Baqara 2: 154)
This verse shows that patience is not merely a moral quality, but a spiritual means of attaining closeness to Allah. When a Muslim practises patience, he feels that Allah is with him, he gains divine support, and he gains courage to continue despite adversities.
Life on earth is not a
place of final reward; it is a place of trials and examinations. Every person
passes through difficult moments, whether poverty, illness, loss, or injustice.
But Allah has placed patience as a light to guide man in this darkness. Just as
iron is purified by fire before being plunged into water, man attains
purification through trials. Anger, sadness and frustration may arise; but
patience disciplines him, calms his heart, and keeps his faith firm.
The Holy Prophet Hazrat
Muhammad (pbuh) said: “Whoever perseveres, Allah grants him patience. No one
has received a better and greater gift than patience.” (Bukhari)
This Hadith shows that
patience is a gift from Allah, and it is more precious than material wealth.
When a Muslim gains patience, he gains the capacity to endure, to wait, to
remain firm.
Patience has several
forms. Firstly, patience in obedience: where a believer fulfils the five
pillars of Islam – performing prayer (Salat), fasting (Roza/ Sawm),
giving Zakat, and performing Hajj if he has the means; all these require
discipline and constancy. Secondly, patience in avoiding disobedience: where a
believer strives to resist the temptations of Satan, avoids unlawful practices,
and controls his passions. Thirdly, patience in difficult times: where the
believer endures illness, poverty, loss, injustice, without losing his faith.
Allah has said in the Qur’an:
“And We
shall surely test you with a little fear, hunger, loss of wealth, lives and
fruits (provisions). But give glad tidings to those who are patient.” (Al-Baqara 2: 156)
This verse shows that
patience is not merely a reaction, but a spiritual attitude which brings glad
tidings, and these glad tidings are rewards from Allah.
Patience is also a
light which protects a believer against despair. When difficulty arises, one
may fall into panic, may seek unlawful solutions. But patience teaches
discipline; it teaches a believer that he must wait for the right moment, and
he must have firm belief that Allah will intervene and come to his aid. The
Holy Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said:
“The servant, when
Allah has destined for him a position which he cannot attain by his deeds, will
be tested by Allah in his body, his wealth or his children. And he endures all
this with perseverance until he attains that position.” (Ahmad)
This Hadith shows that
patience is a means of attaining a spiritual position which otherwise would not
be possible, and it teaches us that if Allah has decreed a position of honour
for someone, no one can prevent him from attaining what Allah has decreed for
him, except himself. In other words, if he does not pass his tests, if he does
not adopt patience and remain firm, he will not attain what Allah has decreed
for him. But if he adopts patience, come
what may, the good that Allah
has reserved for him, he will definitely receive it.
In the story of Hazrat
Yusuf (as), Allah teaches us how patience was demonstrated in all difficulties.
Despite being betrayed by his half-brothers, thrown into a well, sold as a slave,
and even accused and imprisoned unjustly; despite all this, he remained firm,
he did not let despair destroy his faith. He trusted in Allah’s promise.
Finally, Allah granted him victory and honour. This shows that patience is the
light which guides a believer and even a prophet towards deliverance and
victory.
Patience is also
protection against Satan. When difficulty arises, Satan tries to push man
towards disobedience, impatience and anger. But patience is resistance; it
closes the door against temptation. Allah has said in the Qur’an:
“And
endure with patience what they say, and withdraw from them in a gracious
manner.” (Al-Muzzammil 73: 11)
This verse shows that
patience is the response to provocation; it is a discipline which preserves a
person’s dignity intact.
Patience is not only a quality reserved or present in a single person; it is also a light for the entire community (the
Islamic Ummah). When Muslims practise patience, the community obtains
stability and collective strength. Without patience, the community falls into
division, haste and despair. But with patience, the community of Islam remains
firm, united, and guided by divine light.
Patience is also a
means of attaining Paradise. Allah has said in the Holy Qur’an:
“And
hasten towards forgiveness from your Lord and towards Paradise, as wide as the
heavens and the earth together, prepared for those who follow the path of
Allah, for those who spend (in charity, in the way of Allah), whether in
prosperity or in difficulty, for those who restrain their anger and forgive
others. Allah loves those who do good.” (Al-Imran 3: 134-135)
These verses show that
patience is the path that leads to Paradise; it is a discipline that leads to
forgiveness, it is a light that brings eternal reward for the believer who
remains firm in his faith and perseveres.
Therefore, reflect well
that patience is the very light which will illuminate you in Islam. If someone
says he is a Muslim, he must cultivate patience within himself. For patience is
also an attribute of Allah. Whoever lets patience guide him, this patience for
the sake of Allah, for the love of Allah, will illuminate his heart, protect
his faith, give him strength to pass through trials, and draw him closer to
Allah. Without patience, life is not illuminated, and a believer may fall into
darkness; with patience, his life becomes a path towards Paradise. The Holy
Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said: “The strong man is not the one who overcomes
in physical combat; but the strong man is the one who controls his anger.” (Bukhari and Muslim)
This Hadith shows us,
just as I mentioned in the sermon on anger, that it is with patience that a
believer can truly become strong, not with violence.
Thus, patience is
indispensable for every Muslim. It is the light which protects a believer
against despair, it helps him to discipline his life and his actions in
righteousness, so that his faith remains firm. Patience is a gift from Allah
which brings success in this life and in the Hereafter. Whoever practises
patience gains the pleasure of Allah, gets peace in his heart, and obtains
Paradise as reward. Whoever does not practise patience falls into darkness,
loses guidance, and may even lose his faith.
Therefore, patience is
a light which illuminates the path of a believer; it is an indispensable virtue
in Islam; it is a discipline which draws a person closer to his Creator.
Whoever practises patience gains guidance, protection, and the love of Allah.
Whoever lets impatience dominate him falls into darkness. Islam teaches
discipline, wisdom and faith; and within this discipline, patience is an
essential pillar.
Therefore, it is vital
that every believer who says he believes in Allah, in His prophets, His Books,
His angels, in Destiny, in the Day of Judgement, in the existence of Paradise
and Hell, must make it his duty to implement patience within himself. He must
not be impulsive and let his passions guide him. Whoever has true faith will
maintain his patience, will address his Duahs to Allah, and will see the results
ahead. Allah is with those who are patient.
O members of Jamaat Ul
Sahih Al Islam, and the entire Ummah of Nabi Kareem (pbuh), do not follow Satan
in his schemes and preserve your Iman (faith) against all satanic
attacks. Let yourselves be guided by faith, by your love for Allah, and devote
yourselves in obedience to Allah. Learn to control yourselves so that you may
be recognised as the best servants in the sight of Allah. Insha-Allah,
Ameen.
---Friday Sermon of 26 December 2025~ 05 Rajab 1447 AH delivered by Imam- Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam International Hazrat Muhyiuddin Al Khalifatullah Munir Ahmad Azim (aba) of Mauritius.